Data Visualization & Reporting Flashcards

What is the primary advantage of a treemap over a bar chart?

Answer: It shows hierarchical part-to-whole relationships in limited space

Treemaps efficiently display hierarchical part-to-whole data using nested rectangles sized by value.

In a report, what does 'single source of truth' mean?

Answer: All reports draw from one consistent, governed dataset

A single source of truth ensures all reports use the same consistent, governed data.

Which visualization is most appropriate for showing geographic sales distribution?

Answer: Choropleth map

A choropleth map shades geographic regions by value, ideal for spatial distribution.

What is the purpose of a histogram?

Answer: To show the frequency distribution of a continuous variable

A histogram groups continuous data into bins to show its frequency distribution.

Why is consistent formatting (fonts, colors, number formats) important across a report suite?

Answer: It builds trust and reduces misinterpretation

Consistent formatting builds credibility and helps readers interpret data correctly across reports.

A sparkline is best described as:

Answer: A small, word-sized line chart showing a trend inline

A sparkline is a small, inline line chart that conveys a trend within text or a table.

When choosing between showing a data table and a chart, you should generally use a chart when:

Answer: The goal is to reveal patterns, trends, or comparisons

Charts excel at revealing patterns and trends, while tables are better for exact values.